The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1887-01-13
Mapping Out "a Railroad Line.
Special correspondence Manufacturers Record.
MARION, MCDOWELL. Co, N. or
December %, 1886.

III preceding letlerS accounts nave
been given of that part of the country
between johnson City, Tennessee, and
Ashland, Kentucky, through which
the Charleston, Cincinnati & Chicago
Railroad is to run. This will cover
the route from Johnson City to this
bright and lively little town.
A fairly good wagon road extends
from Johnson City to Bakersville, the
capital town Of Mitchell county.
Starting out Oh this road and headed
southward, the traveller soon gets be-
yond Washington, first into Carter and
then into Unicoi county. This road is
through the fertile valleys of Sinking
and Buffalo creeks. These valleys
are fairly wide and so nearly level that
there will be no expensive or trouble
some work for the railroad builders.
The farm houses, out buildings, fences
and apple orchards combine to i'm
press upon the Stranger the fact that
he is in fertile region, inhabited by a
thrifty and prosperous community
In Unicoi county and but twelve
miles from the point of departure, at
the source of Buffalo creek, is an al
most imperceptibe summit, the di-
vide between that stream and Indian
creek. The railroad will follow the
latter watereourse to its source in
Iron Mountain, at the dividing line
between this State and Tennessee.
This valley for six miles is much like
those already described, but the rest
of the way to the summit OF Iron
Mountain is exceedingly rough and
will require some costly and heavy
work.
OH to the right of this summit
stretches the long undulating line Of
the Unaka chain, one OF the highest
of the ranges that, united, form the
Great Smoky range. In this noun
tain, near the headwaters of Indian
creek, are vast bodies of brown hem
attic ore in close proximity to lime
stone. Once when prices for pig
iron were much higher than they ever
will be again, there were rude char
coal furnaces and catalan forges at
various places on the creek, the ruins
of which are visible When the rail-
road builders reach this point they
will pierce the mountain with tun-
mel 1000 feet long, TINS saving de-
tour OF several miles and keeping
down the grade, while not materially
increasing the cost, This tunnel will
enter the mountain two thousand feet
north from the State boundry and
emerging in North Carolina at about
the same distance south of it, AT
this place it crosses the western ex-
tension of the great Cranberry belt
OF black oxide ore. Leaving the tun.
mel the track will follow the waters
flowing into Rock creek, and when
that stream is reached will continue
with it for several miles along tue
base OF Roam Mountain, and passing
within three and a-half miles of the
Cloudland Hotel on its summit. The
country between the mouth of thi,
creek and Bakersville is not an easy
one.
The town lies at the bottom OF ba
sin surrounded on every side by lofty
mountains. at is as much out o
proportion to its surroundings" sale
friend, "as a French pea at the bot
tom of ten gallon punch bowl.
Two lines have been run from thu
mouth OF Rock creek to Bakersville
but no decision has been made as tt
: which will be used. Whichever route
: may be selected will have enough
hard work in it to have satisfied Mari
Tapley. In the vicinity of Bakers
vile is Pumpkin Patch Mountain, il
which are extensive veins OF crystal
line form OF magnetic ore OF excellen
quality, This town is the center 0
the mica mining of North Carolini
and its products are known whereve
stoves are used. Besides mining, tn
: people of Mitchell county are engage,
, in agriculture. Pure water and all
| cool nights and no excessive heats b
: day, grass and herbage in abundance
= rich soil that rewards literally tn
: husbandman' labor, all these max
# Mitchell a grand county for stoc
# farming, for dairying and for GROWN
grass and grain. Climbing out Of tn
huge mountain nest in the bottom {
which nestles Bakersville, the raj
= road will follow the valley OF Can
creek to a confluence with the To,
e and will continue down the valley
Il that very rapid stream to the mout
o of Grassy creek, where it will begin til
. ascent OF the northern slope of til
y Blue Ridge. have used the wore
3 "begin the ascent" because such is IL
y fact, although it is one hard to realiz
y fnr n1, Lrnnd l. thie Nnlln,, n M % Ii n